To counter the scientific illiteracy standing in the way of meeting urgent 21st-century climate and energy challenges, a group of fifty leaders in the climate and energy community gathered in Berkeley, California, USA between December 7 and 9, 2012, to participate in the Climate and Energy Literacy Summit hosted by the National Center for Science Education. The attendees included climate, energy, education, technology, and research experts, curriculum developers, philanthropists, science journalists, representatives from climate- and energy-related non-profits and professional societies, federal and state agencies, and the National Academy of Sciences.

The goal of the Summit was to identify ways "to substantially and measurably improve climate and energy literacy to provide society and the next generation with the scientific foundation to take informed actions to minimize climate impacts and prepare for changes that are already well underway."